A look at Elite venues

A look at Lake Martin

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Apologies to NASCAR’s Darrell Waltrip, but boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go fishing, boys!! The 2018 Elite Series begins this week in Alabama with the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, Feb. 8-11.
Apologies to NASCAR’s Darrell Waltrip, but boogity, boogity, boogity, let’s go fishing, boys!! The 2018 Elite Series begins this week in Alabama with the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, Feb. 8-11.
Lake Martin, less than an hour northeast of Montgomery, is a 44,000-acre reservoir created by the damming of the Tallapoosa River. It has 750 miles of shoreline, much of it wooded, but there are several cities and a number of waterfront housing developments on the lake.
Lake Martin, less than an hour northeast of Montgomery, is a 44,000-acre reservoir created by the damming of the Tallapoosa River. It has 750 miles of shoreline, much of it wooded, but there are several cities and a number of waterfront housing developments on the lake.
The reservoir was formed by the completion of Martin Dam in 1926, and at the time was the largest manmade lake in the country. Generating hydroelectric power for the Alabama Power Company, it was named for its president, Thomas Martin, in 1936. It was originally known as Cherokee Bluffs for a well-known rock formation near the dam.
The reservoir was formed by the completion of Martin Dam in 1926, and at the time was the largest manmade lake in the country. Generating hydroelectric power for the Alabama Power Company, it was named for its president, Thomas Martin, in 1936. It was originally known as Cherokee Bluffs for a well-known rock formation near the dam.
Wind Creek State Park is staging site for the B.A.S.S. tournament. The public is welcome to see the 110 Elites launch each morning at 6:15 a.m. ET, and to watch the anglers bring their catches across the stage at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Wind Creek State Park is staging site for the B.A.S.S. tournament. The public is welcome to see the 110 Elites launch each morning at 6:15 a.m. ET, and to watch the anglers bring their catches across the stage at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Wind Creek, outside Alexander City on the north end of the lake, is the largest state-operated campground in the continental United States with 626 modern campsites. Wind Creek is the site for most tournaments on Lake Martin.
Wind Creek, outside Alexander City on the north end of the lake, is the largest state-operated campground in the continental United States with 626 modern campsites. Wind Creek is the site for most tournaments on Lake Martin.
The Silo Observation Tower within the park not only allows visitors a birds-eye view, but the 1915 converted silo is also the park’s nature center with education exhibits about Alabama wildlife. Besides largemouth, Lake Martin has a healthy population of spotted bass.
The Silo Observation Tower within the park not only allows visitors a birds-eye view, but the 1915 converted silo is also the park’s nature center with education exhibits about Alabama wildlife. Besides largemouth, Lake Martin has a healthy population of spotted bass.
Lake Martin has hosted eight pro level events from 1989 to 2002. B.A.S.S. last visited there with the 2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Lake Martin has hosted eight pro level events from 1989 to 2002. B.A.S.S. last visited there with the 2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Russ Johnson and Hunter Schrock of Itawamba Community College caught 14 pounds, 8 ounces on the final day to win the college event with a three-day weight of 35-9.
Russ Johnson and Hunter Schrock of Itawamba Community College caught 14 pounds, 8 ounces on the final day to win the college event with a three-day weight of 35-9.
That weight is similar to winning weights in the past Bassmaster events there, the most recent being Coby Carden’s 2002 Southern Open win with 36-7. While Carden averaged a little over 12 pounds a day, Robert Tucker had the largest four-day weight with 53-11 in a 1989 win, averaging 13.42 pounds each day.
That weight is similar to winning weights in the past Bassmaster events there, the most recent being Coby Carden’s 2002 Southern Open win with 36-7. While Carden averaged a little over 12 pounds a day, Robert Tucker had the largest four-day weight with 53-11 in a 1989 win, averaging 13.42 pounds each day.
B.A.S.S. tournament director Trip Weldon (left) has fished and competed on Lake Martin for about 40 years, and he gave Bassmaster fans a rundown on what to expect this week in a podcast that also featured Chad Miller, who won the 2014 Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship on Lake Martin.
B.A.S.S. tournament director Trip Weldon (left) has fished and competed on Lake Martin for about 40 years, and he gave Bassmaster fans a rundown on what to expect this week in a podcast that also featured Chad Miller, who won the 2014 Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship on Lake Martin.
“It’s one of the crown jewels for the state of Alabama, recreation-wise. It’s a gorgeous lake,” said Weldon, who has won a number of events there. “I live on Lake Jordan, but Lake Martin has always been near and dear to my heart. I’m excited to see how the world’s best anglers figure out the puzzle.”
“It’s one of the crown jewels for the state of Alabama, recreation-wise. It’s a gorgeous lake,” said Weldon, who has won a number of events there. “I live on Lake Jordan, but Lake Martin has always been near and dear to my heart. I’m excited to see how the world’s best anglers figure out the puzzle.”
Weldon offered an analogy that the lake looked like a hand with its fingers spread out, and he thinks the Elites will be spread out too. “I think it’s going to fish big … from head to toe,” he said. “They’re going to catch fish all over.”
Weldon offered an analogy that the lake looked like a hand with its fingers spread out, and he thinks the Elites will be spread out too. “I think it’s going to fish big … from head to toe,” he said. “They’re going to catch fish all over.”
Fish will be caught in all depths, Weldon added. In an Everstart he won over former Elite Jason Quinn, Weldon said he caught his fish 5- to 6-feet deep while Quinn fished in 70 feet of water. “That’s the range you’re going to see on Lake Martin,” he said.
Fish will be caught in all depths, Weldon added. In an Everstart he won over former Elite Jason Quinn, Weldon said he caught his fish 5- to 6-feet deep while Quinn fished in 70 feet of water. “That’s the range you’re going to see on Lake Martin,” he said.
The lake will be at winter pool, but it won’t be as low as it has been in the past, like here during the college tournament. Weldon said it’s only down 7 to 8 feet where usually it’s dropped 10 to 12. He said there have not yet been the big rains that muddy the creeks, but rain is in this week’s forecast.
The lake will be at winter pool, but it won’t be as low as it has been in the past, like here during the college tournament. Weldon said it’s only down 7 to 8 feet where usually it’s dropped 10 to 12. He said there have not yet been the big rains that muddy the creeks, but rain is in this week’s forecast.
Weldon said to expect the anglers to bring in a number of spotted bass, which have been growing larger lately after the introduction of blueback herring into Lake Martin. He doesn’t throw out the possibility of a 20-pound bag, but thinks the biggest will be in the 17- or 18-pound range.
Weldon said to expect the anglers to bring in a number of spotted bass, which have been growing larger lately after the introduction of blueback herring into Lake Martin. He doesn’t throw out the possibility of a 20-pound bag, but thinks the biggest will be in the 17- or 18-pound range.
Miller, whose biggest fish there was an 8-4, said daily kickers of around 5 pounds go a long ways. “On a good day you can catch 40, easy. If you’re just trying to catch big 5 fish, you can catch 15,” said Miller, who added conditions can make fishing difficult. “Bluebird skies and no wind on Lake Martin, it can be extremely, extremely tough.”
Miller, whose biggest fish there was an 8-4, said daily kickers of around 5 pounds go a long ways. “On a good day you can catch 40, easy. If you’re just trying to catch big 5 fish, you can catch 15,” said Miller, who added conditions can make fishing difficult. “Bluebird skies and no wind on Lake Martin, it can be extremely, extremely tough.”
Weldon said he expects a number of 10- to 12-pound bags, with the winner averaging around 14 pounds. “I’m guessing maybe 55 pounds total,” he said. “After two days, 9 pounds a day will probably get you a check.”
Weldon said he expects a number of 10- to 12-pound bags, with the winner averaging around 14 pounds. “I’m guessing maybe 55 pounds total,” he said. “After two days, 9 pounds a day will probably get you a check.”
Some anglers who pre-practice have reported numbers, just difficulty finding those quality kickers. “I’m attempting to make these Lake Martin Bass I’ve been catching look a little bigger,” Fletcher Shyrock posted in early January. “Next month I’ll have to find a way to catch the right ones!!”
Some anglers who pre-practice have reported numbers, just difficulty finding those quality kickers. “I’m attempting to make these Lake Martin Bass I’ve been catching look a little bigger,” Fletcher Shyrock posted in early January. “Next month I’ll have to find a way to catch the right ones!!”
Russ Lane of nearby Prattville, Ala., agreed on the size of the Tallapoosa reservoir bass. “This would be a 4-pounder on the Coosa but on Lake Martin it’s a 2-pounder,” he posted. Then he posted a photo of this striper. “Had to stop and catch a few of these while practicing on Lake Martin today. Big stripers ... tiny bass.”
Russ Lane of nearby Prattville, Ala., agreed on the size of the Tallapoosa reservoir bass. “This would be a 4-pounder on the Coosa but on Lake Martin it’s a 2-pounder,” he posted. Then he posted a photo of this striper. “Had to stop and catch a few of these while practicing on Lake Martin today. Big stripers … tiny bass.”
One major landmark on Lake Martin is “The Rock.” The area of the Tallapoosa River gorge near the dam has several formations, Acapulco Rock and Chimney Rock, which are often confused. In warmer weather, boaters visit by the thousands and many climb to cliff jump from 60 feet up. That won’t happen this week.
One major landmark on Lake Martin is “The Rock.” The area of the Tallapoosa River gorge near the dam has several formations, Acapulco Rock and Chimney Rock, which are often confused. In warmer weather, boaters visit by the thousands and many climb to cliff jump from 60 feet up. That won’t happen this week.
Lake Martin has many exclusive waterfront mansions as it’s become a weekend getaway for many wealthy families from around the South. It’s reported many CEO's from Birmingham and Atlanta have homes on the lake.
Lake Martin has many exclusive waterfront mansions as it’s become a weekend getaway for many wealthy families from around the South. It’s reported many CEO’s from Birmingham and Atlanta have homes on the lake.
The event gets under way at 6:15 a.m. Thursday, and fans can follow all the action right here on Bassmaster.com through features like the Live blog, photo galleries and videos. Bassmaster LIVE, the on-the-water webcast, begins at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, with Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona in the studio watching to see who leaves a big rooster tail in the season opener.
The event gets under way at 6:15 a.m. Thursday, and fans can follow all the action right here on Bassmaster.com through features like the Live blog, photo galleries and videos. Bassmaster LIVE, the on-the-water webcast, begins at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, with Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona in the studio watching to see who leaves a big rooster tail in the season opener.

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